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York's Junkyard Drumming group plans to perform in St. Patrick's Day parade

The group has recently been invited to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.

By REBECCA LeFEVER Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
03/11/2013 11:54:39 PM EDT

York, PA -

Every Friday afternoon, 36 York teens gather at Temple Grace Church on Salem Avenue.

They pull the same blue T-shirt over each of their heads and grab a blue donated Lowe's bucket with a yellow decal on the side. They are the York County Youth Development Center's Junkyard Drumming group.

"What do you play? Bucket or metal?" Tim Riggs, who has worked as the music director of the group the past two years, asked each student.

This group of teens has come a long way, Riggs said as they gathered for an extra practice Thursday afternoon.

Tim Riggs, center, the music director for Junkyard Drumming, puts the team through rehearsal at Temple Grace Church in preparation for their participation in this year's St. Patrick Day parade. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS--JASON PLOTKIN)

Many of those in the group are there because they've gone through things no adult can imagine, Riggs said.

"We're here for them," he said.

What started as a group of teens who met to bang drum sticks on old buckets, pots and pans has turned into a team of musicians. Recently, the teens were asked to attend a Philadelphia 76ers game where they hope to soon perform.

But before they make their way to bigger cities, these teens gathered to practice for the York St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Each girl has been with the group for only a few months, but already find the program rewarding.

Dee O'Conner, with Junkyard Drumming, uses a cooking pot to practice on during rehearsal at Temple Grace Church in preparation for their participation in this year's St. Patrick Day parade. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS--JASON PLOTKIN)

"It's a huge stress reliever for me," McClane said. She explained that after her first few practices with the group she'd go home and pull out pots and pans to practice.

Clouser, motioning as if playing, said you have to feel the beat when you play.

"It just moves through you," she said. "They're teaching us that this isn't just music. We're learning how to act like citizens."

That sort of attitude is exactly the kind Riggs hopes each of the kids keeps in mind.

He has three goals he hopes to accomplish through this program: to give the children a vision of good things outside their trials; to think of positive things they can do as a group; and give each child a sense of individuality while working with a team.

"It's about enjoying music in terms of rhythm," Riggs said. "This generation has access to a lot of rhythmic-based music. . . . It's what makes them tick."

Casey Addison, who has been a counselor with the youth development center for nearly six years, said he's seen children come out of programs similar to the Junkyard Drumming with new lives.

"In my past, somebody helped me," Addison said. "Being a part of this group exposes them to different people and sometimes that's all they need to make a change." @ralefever; 771-2088About the parade

The 30th annual York St. Patrick's Day Parade is set for 1 p.m. Saturday.

The parade steps off at Market and Penn streets and proceeds down Market Street to Duke Street.

The parade is organized by the York Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

Tim Riggs, right, the music director for Junkyard Drumming, jokes with drummer Krystany Evans, during rehearsal at Temple Grace Church in preparation for their participation in this year's St. Patrick Day parade. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS--JASON PLOTKIN)